Scottish Renewables, the voice of Scotland's renewable energy industry, has welcomed the launch of the joint Government and industry marine road map, which identifies the critical support needed to capture nearly 12,500 jobs in this sector by 2020.

The report’s conclusions include:

• A call for the Scottish Government to repeat its Wave and Tidal Energy Support scheme.
• A fresh look at the levels of support available under the renewables obligation.
• Calls for the Treasury to do more to help the sector, including the release of the Fossil Fuel Levy surplus funds to help promote renewables in Scotland.
• Crucially the industry believes a fresh funding stream to help wave and tidal projects move from pre-commercial development phase to full commercialisation is required to secure the benefits and jobs potential of marine renewables in Scotland.

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Morna Cannon, Scottish Renewables' Marine Energy Specialist, said: "There is now a clear route for the development of our massive wave and tidal resources in Scotland, but without a clear funding mechanism to get projects from design to commercialisation we may be stuck at first base.

"The Road Map does identify the need for funding to help projects leap to commercialisation, but all eyes will be on the next Scottish budget to see what will actually materialise for industry.

"The Government's own National Planning Framework shows the importance of grid for all renewables. The Beauly Denny upgrade is now urgently needed as the first step in developing the grid for wave and tidal technology around our coasts."

(GK/KMcA)